Secondhand Smoke Exposure in a Rural High School

Although federal law requires all public schools to be smoke free, lack of compliance with the smoke-free policy is commonly reported. The aims of this study were to describe the indoor fine-particle (PM_2.5) air pollution in a rural high school and surrounding public venues. This cross-sectional, nonexperimental study was conducted in Monroe County, Kentucky (population of 11,756). Fine-particle concentrations were measured in the high school and 5 public venues using spectrometers. Because of illegal student smoking, PM_2.5 concentrations were 19 times higher in the boys’ student restroom than the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for outdoor air (670 vs. 35 μg/m³). The staff restrooms adjacent to the student restroom where staff did not smoke also showed high PM_2.5 levels. Average indoor air pollution in the public venues was 158 μg/m³. Strict enforcement of smoke-free school policy and cessation resources are needed to reduce secondhand smoke exposure. Collaborative school-community campaigns involving parents, students, mass media, and community organizations may be effective in reducing the harm caused by tobacco. Implications for school nurses are discussed.